ESSENCE OF RELIGION

The teachings of all realised souls state clearly that religion does not mean mere rituals and dogmas. It has eternal values which are evergreen. Religion in essence is the realisation of ‘ Svabhava ' i.e. one's innate nature. The real nature of every soul is equanimity. In this state, consciousness is completely free from constant flickering, excitement, disharmony and disorders. In reality, the soul is different from the body and should remain away from the impure state of mind. The object of religion is to achieve equanimity of mind and get real peace and bliss.
Some religious philosophies emphasize knowledge while some emphasize action, but in a real sense religion takes an integral view of life. We need a combination of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct to attain salvation. Without right faith, there is no right knowledge and without right knowledge, there is no right conduct. According to Lord Mahavira, he who knows the Self to be wholly different from the body and mind is said to be the master of all scriptures. Right knowledge is that which helps one to understand the truth, control the mind and purify the soul. Equanimity of mind and soul is the guiding principle of religious life. Equanimity of mind is non-attachment. Equanimity of body is non-violence, and equanimity of thought is non-absolutism. Non-violence is the cardinal principle of religion. It means giving reverence to all forms of life. Human beings, animals, plants, trees and insects all have some source of life-energy. This energy is present even in invisible creatures living in air, water and space. Respect and love for all types of life is the essence of religion.
Respect for all forms of life implies essential equality. Only action, not birth, is the determining factor of human status. Lord Mahavira proclaimed, “A person does not become a monk by merely torturing the body nor a Brahmana by reciting the Onkar Mantra , he does not become a Muni by living in the forest or a hermit by wearing clothes woven from grass. One becomes a monk through equanimity, a Brahmana through celibacy, a Muni by his knowledge and a hermit by his austerities”.
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